6 players set to miss England's Six Nations opener against Scotland
Rugby NewsMonday, 09 January 2023 at 19:09
New England head coach Steve Borthwick is set to be without a. number of stars for his first game in charge early next month.
Their Six Nations campaign is set to begin in four weeks with a home game against Scotland, followed by a match against Italy at Twickenham a week later.
Below, we take a look at five players who are set to be unavailable to the England boss
#1. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
The England skipper has been cited following the game against Gloucester Rugby for dangerous tackling, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13. The hearing will take place on Tuesday 10 January at 6.30pm.
Farrell made direct contact with the head of Jack Clement of Gloucester during a tackle, which the referee Karl Dickson did not address at the time. He later scored a game-winning drop-goal in the final minute.
If the incident is classified as a mid-range offense, Farrell could potentially face a six-week ban, with the possibility of reduction for mitigating circumstances.
Farrell previously admitted to committing a top-end offence in September 2020, leading to a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Charlie Atkinson during a match against Wasps, which carries a starting point of a ten-week ban.
#2. Henry Arundell (London Irish)
Arundell starred for Irish towards the end of last season, making a series of impressive displays for the club before making his England debut during the summer tour against Australia.
The 20-year-old was duly expected to play a more prominent role for the Red Rose in the Autumn Nations Series, but he was forced to sit that out and he could now miss the start of the Six Nations.
“He has had surgery on Monday and will be out for a number of weeks,” Kidney told reporters.
“The foot injury he got prior to the November Tests didn’t respond as we hoped and it was necessary to have surgery and he will be in a boot for six weeks and then we will have to see how he recovers.
“He has shown good healing powers in the past but it will be the New Year before he starts playing again.”
Henry Arundell of London Irish during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Bath Rugby at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 1 October 2022 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
#3. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Curry, regarded by many as England's best player in recent years, may have caused concern for the new England head coach Steve Borthwick due to an injury ahead of the Six Nations.
Curry limped off in the 16th minute at Twickenham Stoop after his right leg was caught awkwardly in a tackle by Quins forward Wilco Louw.
Even without Tom for most of the game, Sale cemented their top-two spot in the Premiership with a hard-fought 24-16 bonus point win at third-placed Harlequins.
Sale director or rugby Alex Sanderson told BBC Radio 5 live: “We are predicting a low grade hamstring injury.
“He will have a scan [on Monday]. These things don’t turn around in a week, but I’ve already said to him ‘you get your head on for the Six Nations now’.”
#4. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
The hooker limped off the field with an ankle injury after scoring two tries in the Chiefs' 35-12 win over Northampton in the Gallagher Premiership at Sandy Park.
Exeter head coach Ali Hepher commented on Cowan-Dickie's injury, saying, 'He has rolled his ankle and I am not quite sure where he is at, but to get him off the pitch, it must be pretty sore, so we will obviously assess where he is.'
Cowan-Dickie told BT Sport after the match, 'When I got tackled from behind it rolled and I felt a little pop. I will wait to get a scan an hopefully it will be fine.'"
Gallagher Player of the Match Luke Cowan-Dickie, Captain of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints at Sandy Park, Exeter on 7th January 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 12 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#6. Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)
Raffi Quirke of England on the break to go over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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